Men’s Haircut
Razor fades, skin fades, tapers and scissor cuts
- Price
- $35
- Time in chair
- 45 min to 1 hr
- Come back
- 1 to 6 wks
- Walk ins
- Welcome
A men's haircut at Chatsworth Barbershop is $35 and takes about forty five minutes. That covers razor fades, skin fades, tapers, textured crops and scissor cuts, all done by hand. Most modern men's cuts come down to two decisions, what happens on the sides and what length stays up top. Everything else is finish work. This page walks you through the vocabulary, and what a razor fade is, so you can walk in and name the cut you actually want.
The ProcessWhat actually happens in the chair
- 01
The consultation
A minute or two. We ask how you have been wearing it, what your last barber got right or wrong, and what you are picturing today. Show us a photo if you have one. This is the step chains skip and it is the step that saves your cut.
- 02
Wash or spray down
Some cuts start at the sink, some start with a spray bottle. Wet hair is honest hair. It sits where it wants to sit, and we can see it clearly.
- 03
The sides
Clipper work with a guard, starting long and going shorter in passes. This is where the fade or the taper takes shape.
- 04
The top
Usually scissors, sometimes clippers over a comb if the look calls for texture. Section by section, checking each length against the one next to it.
- 05
The blend
The transition from short to long is where a real haircut earns its price. Anybody can run clippers over a head. Blending is dozens of small passes so the change looks intentional instead of stepped.
- 06
The edges and finish
Front hairline, temples, neckline. On a razor fade, the barber takes a razor to the shortest part of the fade here, around the ears and across the neckline, so the bottom edge is crisp. Then a little product if you want to see how the cut is going to sit for the week.
How to ask for a men's haircut without guessing
1The fade height
Low, mid, or high. This is where the shortest hair on the side lives. A low fade stays down around the ear. A mid fade starts at the temple. A high fade climbs above the temple. Higher reads bolder and grows out faster.
2The bottom of the fade
Skin (also called bald, or zero) or a length. A skin fade goes all the way to the scalp at the bottom edge. A razor fade is a skin fade finished with a razor, which gives the sharpest edge. A number one or two fade leaves a little hair even at the shortest point. Skin looks sharpest for about ten days. Length holds a natural look longer.
3The length on top
In inches or by picture. Two inches is a common medium. Three or four gives you a modern textured crop with movement. Under an inch is a real short cut. Bring a picture if you can. And bring one of a guy with hair like yours, a straight hair photo will not translate to curly hair no matter how nice the picture is.
What is a razor fade?
A razor fade is a fade where the sides blend from longer hair down to bare skin and the bottom edge is finished with a razor. The clippers and guards build the blend. The razor then takes the shortest part of the fade, around the ears and across the neckline, down to skin, so the line comes out crisp instead of soft.
It is part of the men's haircut at Chatsworth Barbershop, so there is no separate price. Ask for a razor fade by name when you book or when you sit down, and tell us how high you want it and how short the bottom should go.
Who It Is ForWho a men's haircut is for
Everyone who walks in with hair. What we choose depends on your hair, your face, and your life.
- Straight hair holds a hard part and takes a clean line.
- Wavy hair carries a mid fade with a textured crop about as well as any cut in the game right now.
- Curly hair looks great with a broccoli style top or a taper that keeps the volume up.
- Thinning hair almost always looks better shorter on the sides than it does layered over the crown.
- Older gentlemen tend to settle into a taper with a longer top, and honestly it is one of the best looking cuts in the shop.
You have a look in mind
You know the look, or you have seen it on someone. Bring a picture, ideally of a person whose hair matches yours in texture. We translate the picture to your head.
You have no idea what suits you
Tell us what you do for work, whether you actually style your hair or comb it once and go, and how often you get cut. That is enough for a good barber to steer you toward something you will enjoy wearing.
How often to come back for a fresh cut
- Skin or razor fadeEvery two weeks
- Taper or length fadeEvery four to six weeks
- Longer top over short sidesSides every three to four weeks
- Traditional short back and sidesEvery five to six weeks
FAQ
What is a razor fade?
A razor fade is a fade where the sides blend from longer hair down to skin and the bottom edge is finished with a razor. The razor takes the shortest part of the fade, around the ears and neckline, down to bare skin, so the edge reads crisp. It is the sharpest version of a fade.
What is the difference between a razor fade and a regular fade?
A regular fade is blended with clippers and guards, and the bottom edge is left a little soft. A razor fade adds the razor finish at the bottom edge, so the transition into skin is cleaner and the outline around the ears and neckline is sharper. Same blend, tighter finish.
How much does a men's haircut cost?
A men's haircut is $35 at Chatsworth Barbershop, and that includes a razor fade. It covers the consultation, the clipper work, the scissor work on top, and the finish.
How long does a men's haircut take?
About forty five minutes. A tight skin or razor fade, or heavy texture on top, pushes toward the longer end. A clean taper with a scissors top can run closer to thirty.
How long does a razor fade stay sharp?
A skin razor fade looks its best for about ten days to two weeks, then the bottom edge starts to fill in. A fade that leaves a number one or two at the bottom holds a natural look for three to four weeks.
Will a razor fade cause razor bumps or irritation?
A razor on bare skin can irritate sensitive skin, especially around the neckline. Tell your barber at the start if you get bumps or ingrown hairs, and we can keep the bottom edge a little longer so the skin is not taken down to bare.
What is the difference between a taper and a fade?
A fade blends from skin, or near skin, up to your top length over the whole side. A taper only shortens the hair right around the sideburns and the neckline, everything else stays one length. A fade is a bigger change. A taper is a quieter cleanup.
Should I bring a picture?
Yes, and it is the fastest way to close the gap between what you want and what we cut. Match the hair in the picture to your own texture. If your hair is nothing like the picture, the cut will not look like the picture either. That is not us being difficult, that is just physics.
Should I wash my hair before I come in?
Wash it the day before or the morning of and come in with it styled the way you usually wear it. That is the fastest way for us to see how the cut is going to fall. If you did not get to it, do not worry, we will spray it down.
Do you take walk ins?
Walk ins are welcome. Shortest waits are before eleven in the morning on weekdays. Saturdays and late afternoons run longer. Call ahead and we will save you a chair.
I do not know what to ask for. Help.
Tell us what you do for a living, how you usually wear your hair, and how often you get cut. That is enough. That is what the consultation is for.
Ready for a fresh cut?
Call (818) 818-5066 or book online. $35, walk ins welcome, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come on in.
Includes: Consultation, fade, and style.
Or call (818) 818-5066
Serving the West Valley
Men's Haircut by area:
- Chatsworth
- Porter Ranch
- Northridge
- West Hills
- Canoga Park
- Granada Hills
- Winnetka
- Woodland Hills
- Reseda
- Simi Valley
- Agoura Hills
- Calabasas
- Hidden Hills